Vietnam Discovery Journey 20 Days / 19 Nights

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport at 10:25pm on JL751, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred by private car to your hotel in Hanoi’s city center for check-in. Settle in and enjoy a restful night.

Start your day early by joining locals around Hoan Kiem Lake for morning exercise, a beloved tradition in Vietnamese culture. Visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by a taste of local iced milk coffee (“ca phe sua da”) or egg coffee at a traditional café. Savor a delicious banh mi before touring the French colonial architecture of the Old Quarter, including St. Joseph’s Cathedral.

Continue to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology for insights into the country’s 54 ethnic groups—an enriching primer for your journey ahead. For lunch, enjoy bun cha, Hanoi’s famous grilled pork with noodles. In the afternoon, visit the historic Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university founded in 1076.

Stroll along Hanoi’s unique train street and board a cyclo for a one-hour ride through the bustling Old Quarter. End the day like a local at a bia hoi corner with fresh local beer and street snacks.

After breakfast, depart Hanoi for Sapa via the scenic new highway, passing through picturesque Red River Delta landscapes. Upon arrival in Sapa, perched on a mountainside opposite Mt. Fansipan, you’ll check into your hotel before beginning your exploration.

Visit Silver Waterfall for stunning views of cascading waters and surrounding forests in Hoang Lien National Park. Then continue uphill by car to the highest mountain road pass in Vietnam—Heaven’s Gate. Here, take in sweeping views over Lai Chau and Lao Cai provinces. Return to Sapa for an evening of leisure.

After a short morning drive, begin a scenic hike to Sa Seng village, where you’ll witness daily life among the Black H’mong people. Continue to Hau Thao and Ta Van villages, enjoying expansive views of the Fansipan range and rice terraces. Pass traditional homes nestled along narrow trails through picturesque valleys.

This peaceful walk offers unique encounters with local hill tribes and insight into their customs and agricultural practices. After exploring the countryside and taking in countless photo opportunities, return to Sapa by private vehicle.

After breakfast, set off for an exciting excursion to Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak. Board a mountain train followed by a panoramic cable car ride, offering unforgettable views over the Hoang Lien Mountains. Take in the cool air and scenic beauty at the summit before descending.

Around 11:00am, begin your road trip to Mu Cang Chai. Although the journey takes 6–7 hours, you’ll stop along the way to stretch, enjoy the views, and photograph stunning terraced landscapes. Arrive at your eco-lodge in the late afternoon and relax.

Wake up to fresh mountain air and embark on a hike through rice terraces and hill tribe villages. Cross a suspension bridge and descend along scenic trails, encountering local animals like water buffalo and goats. Visit Mam Xoi Hill, an iconic viewpoint for terrace fields.

Enjoy lunch in a local home before traveling over the winding Khau Pha Pass. Stop for a short hike around Lim Mong and Lim Thai villages in Tu Le, home to welcoming ethnic Thai communities. Explore the Fairy Cave before settling into your resort.

Depart Tu Le for a scenic full-day drive to Mai Chau Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass lush landscapes, small villages, and rolling hills. Stop for photos or short visits in local communities as your guide recommends. Cross a river ferry at Moc Chau and continue to Mai Chau.

Arrive in the afternoon and set out for a relaxing village walk or short bike ride to observe local life in the valley. Check in at your eco-lodge and unwind in peaceful surroundings.

Spend the day exploring the natural and cultural richness of Mai Chau. Transfer by car to the trailhead in Mai Hich. You’ll hike approximately 10–12 kilometers through green valleys, rice paddies, and bamboo groves, visiting several ethnic Thai villages along the way.

Stop by local homes to learn about traditional customs, lifestyles, and crafts. Interact with villagers and appreciate their hospitality. Return to the resort in the mid-afternoon for some well-earned rest—perhaps a dip in the pool or a tranquil sunset view.

After a leisurely breakfast, say farewell to Mai Chau’s serene valley and embark on a scenic drive to Ninh Binh, known as the “Inland Ha Long Bay.” Upon arrival, head to Van Long Nature Reserve—the largest wetland in northern Vietnam.

Board a traditional sampan for a tranquil boat ride, floating between towering limestone karsts and lush reeds. The reserve is home to rare flora and fauna, including the endangered Delacour’s langur. Glide through a peaceful cave and enjoy close encounters with nature in this untouched ecosystem. Return to your resort for a restful evening.

This morning, explore the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, once the political and economic center of Vietnam in the 10th century. Visit the temples dedicated to King Dinh and King Le before continuing along backroads to Tam Coc.

After lunch, embark on a peaceful sampan ride through Trang An’s labyrinth of limestone caves and emerald waters. You’ll pass through Sang Cave, Toi Cave, and Ba Giot Cave during this two-hour journey through stunning landscapes often likened to Ha Long Bay on land.

Later, visit Bich Dong Pagoda—an atmospheric cluster of ancient pagodas built into a limestone cliff. Admire its layered architecture and spiritual calm before returning to your resort.

Depart for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its surreal karst seascape. On arrival, board the L’Azalée Premium Cruise and enjoy lunch on deck as you sail through peaceful waters between Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay.

In the afternoon, visit a floating pearl farm, kayak near limestone outcrops, or swim at Titov Island. Return on board for a Vietnamese cooking demonstration followed by a delicious dinner. Optional activities include squid fishing or a movie under the stars.

Greet the day with Tai Chi on deck before transferring to a day boat for further exploration of Ha Long Bay’s eastern area. Pass Luon Cave and Head Man Islet en route to Dong Tien Cave, where you’ll kayak around a secluded lake nestled among the islands.

Enjoy lunch on board before hiking through Me Cung (Maze) Cave for panoramic bay views. Return to your main cruise in the afternoon and unwind with a fruit carving and pho cuon (Vietnamese fresh roll) demonstration. Enjoy dinner and a relaxing evening under the stars.

After breakfast, visit Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave, the largest and most impressive cave in the bay. Light brunch will be served while cruising back to the pier. Disembark around 11:15am and transfer back to Hanoi for your flight to Hue.

Upon arrival in Hue, you’ll be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in and a peaceful evening.

Begin your exploration of Hue with a peaceful boat cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s oldest religious sites. Visit Emperor Minh Mang’s Tomb, renowned for its majestic architecture and symmetry.

After lunch, continue to the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, featuring a unique blend of Vietnamese and European styles. Later, visit a traditional garden house to learn about Hue’s architectural heritage before returning to your hotel.

Begin your day with a scenic drive through Hue’s quiet countryside, past rice paddies and small villages, en route to Thanh Toan Bridge. This ancient covered bridge, built in the 18th century, offers a glimpse into rural Vietnamese life. Visit the nearby local market, rich with regional produce and daily hustle, before heading to a handicraft village known for traditional cakes like banh it, banh nam, and banh beo. Here, you’ll have a chance to observe how these specialties are made.

Afterward, visit Vong Canh Hill, once a favorite viewpoint of Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Take in sweeping views of the Perfume River and pine-clad hills. In the afternoon, explore the Imperial Citadel of Hue, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter through the Noon Gate and walk along moss-covered ramparts and lotus-filled moats. Learn about the Nguyen emperors as you visit Thai Hoa Palace, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and other royal structures, many of which were damaged in war but still resonate with history.

Depart Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, a coastal mountain route with panoramic views over Da Nang Bay and Lang Co Beach. Stop in Da Nang to visit the Cham Museum, housing the finest collection of Hindu sculptures from the ancient Champa Kingdom.

Continue to Hoi An, a beautifully preserved trading town dating back to the 15th century. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour through Hoi An’s charming streets. Visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, the Chinese Assembly Halls, and the bustling central market. The mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site uniquely captivating. Later, participate in a lantern-making workshop and create your own colorful keepsake using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Embark on a half-day journey to the My Son Sanctuary, a cluster of partially ruined Hindu temples built by the Champa civilization between the 4th and 12th centuries. Nestled in a lush jungle valley, this UNESCO-listed site was once the religious and political capital of the Cham Kingdom. Explore its intricately carved red-brick towers and learn about Cham architecture, which remains a mystery to modern engineers due to its unique mortarless construction.

Despite damage from past wars, My Son retains an atmospheric presence and spiritual charm. After your return to Hoi An in the early afternoon, the remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace—perhaps strolling by the riverside, shopping for handicrafts, or enjoying a coffee at a local café.

Today is a free day for you to explore Hoi An at your own pace. You may choose to spend your time relaxing on the nearby An Bang Beach, cycling through the countryside, or browsing artisan shops and tailor boutiques in the Old Town. Hoi An is renowned for its culinary scene, so consider joining a cooking class or sampling more of the local specialties such as cao lau, white rose dumplings, or mi quang. The lantern-lit streets of Hoi An in the evening offer a magical atmosphere—perfect for a final stroll along the river.

You’ll have free time in the morning to enjoy the peaceful rhythm of Hoi An before transferring to Da Nang for your short flight back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to enjoy a final bowl of pho, explore any missed corners of the Old Quarter, or simply relax and reflect on your journey across Vietnam.

Enjoy your morning at leisure. At the appointed time, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your international departure flight. End of your unforgettable 20-day journey through Vietnam’s diverse landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality.